Best Cast Iron Skillets

Choose the best cast iron skillet for any cooking adventure with Offers.com. We’ve put together a list of the finest cast iron skillets on the market based on price, star ratings, and user reviews. You’ll also find additional features like heat-proof handles, colorful enamel coatings, and spouts for easy pouring.

Outdoor Gourmet 5 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set

T-fal E83407 Pre Seasoned Nonstick Durable Cast Iron Skillet

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10th

Our Score: 7.5/10

Calphalon Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Skillet

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About Cast Iron Skillets

As a staple in many kitchens around the world, cast iron skillets are a classic item beloved for the natural “seasoning” that provides a non-stick surface. Cast iron skillets are also heavy and ideal for cooking that requires really hot temperatures, as they are known for retaining heat better than many other cookware materials.

About Cast Iron Skillets

Considered a staple in many kitchens around the world, cast iron skillets are loved for their ability to do everything from searing meat to baking cornbread. Many people love their cast iron skillet more as time goes on and it becomes “seasoned,” giving the skillet a natural nonstick surface that goes far beyond any coated cookware on the market. These heavy skillets are known for retaining heat, making them ideal for cooking that calls for really hot temperatures. Their sturdiness also makes them multi-functional, as they can be used on a stovetop, in the oven, or even over a fire.

When you're shopping for a cast iron skillet, you'll want to keep a few things in mind:

Weight: cast iron is naturally very heavy, so you'll want to pick a weight that you can handle, but also be prepared for your skillet to not be as light as newer pots and pans made from aluminum and other materials. Studies have found that the heaviest skillets tend to retain more heat.

Handles: after weight, this may be the most important consideration. Cast iron gets very hot, so you'll want to be sure you can comfortably hold it. If you're concerned that you cannot carry a skillet one-handed, look into getting a double-handled model for extra grip. Buying handle covers is also a good idea so no one gets burned when touching the skillet.

Price: more expensive is not necessarily best when it comes to cast iron. Because these skillets can last for a century or more, it's easy to find very inexpensive ones floating around at thrift and antique shops or yard sales. In many cases, these older cast iron skillets may be better than buying a brand new one, as they will be well-seasoned.

Bare or enameled: a lot of this feature comes down to convenience. A bare iron skillet will need to be seasoned before use, whereas an enameled version doesn't require seasoning. It's also recommended that you don't use soap on a bare iron skillet, but if the idea of washing only with water and a scrub brush grosses you out, you might want to choose enameled instead.

Many new cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned, but if the one you choose doesn't, it is easy to do. To season, you would add a layer of fat or oil to the skillet and put it in a hot oven for an hour or so. This allows the metal to develop a non-stick surface. By avoiding using soap when cleaning your skillet and adding a light layer of oil every time you clean it, you can gradually build up the seasoning layer to be mostly permanent.

Two major brands dominate the cast iron skillet market, and are on opposite ends of the budget spectrum. Lodge is known for its classic iron styles, offering pre-seasoned bare iron skillets at very affordable prices. Le Creuset, on the other hand, is famous for its signature enameled iron cookware. Its skillets and Dutch ovens are praised by chefs everywhere, but will set you back a few hundred dollars.